The story of the three kings from the East is an important part of Christmas. But note that the Matthew doesn’t say that the three men were kings! They are “magoi” (in Greek) or wisemen who study the stars (Matthew 2,1; today’s Gospel). In their time, people belived that a star rose up at each person’s birth. The tradition about the kings is a blending of Matthew’s text and Psalm 72,10-11 (today’s response) which speaks about kings from all nations who come with gifts to the Davidic king. Gold and frankincense are the gifts to be brought by people from all nations in Isaiah 60,6 (today’s first reading at Mass). The most important thing about today’s feast is that Jesus was revealed not only to the Jewish people, but also to the Gentiles. Jesus was revealed for us all.

When I think about our Cistercian communities, I recognize that we are people from all nations who have come together because of Christ. At Tautra Mariakloster, we have members from Norway, the USA, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Poland and Belgium. We received a Christmas letter from one of our sister communities in America who has members from the USA, Europe, Africa, the Mideast and Asia. Yes, we are from all nations and we have come together as one family or community in Christ.

We have seen his star in our hearts, and we have followed it. So must all Christians do, for he is our Savior.